The Pat Kenny Show

This week Lisa Cannon takes a look at one of the best movies on the silver screen. The Shawshank Redemption starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman.

Yesterday, US President Donald Trump announced that upcoming tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals could reach 250%, after starting at a lower level. Trump also added he plans to unveil fresh duties on foreign semiconductors. Speaking to Pat this morning was Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent for Euronews  and also Gareth Sheridan, CEO of Nutriband.

On this week's Green Scene we hear about the beached whale in Mayo and other toothed-whale strandings in Europe and a major new study showing how we are losing groundwater at a faster rate than previously known. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.With thanks to Repak.

Have you ever called in sick and felt guilty about it? Have wondered what your working rights actually are when you're unwell? We discuss all with Donal O'Donoghue  Managing Director at Sanderson | Host of Talent Matters Podcast.

Ireland has surpassed the 175,000 EV target for 2025, as contained in the Government’s Climate Action Plan. Driving test wait times reduce again and the new car sales in July. All to discuss with Motoring Editor with the Sunday Independent Geraldine Herbert.

The Policing Authority has warned that the Gardaí are unlikely to hit recruitment targets set out in the Programme for Government. To discuss further with Pat was Mark O’Meara, President, Garda Representative Association.

Spotify is increasing prices in several regions outside of the US, just days after posting disappointing earnings. Spotify announced on Monday that Premium subscribers across Europe, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific will be notified about pricing changes “over the next month. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly tells us more.

As the price of food continues to increase, so does the cost of our weekly shop. Kel Galavan, money coach tells us how to how to cut food expenses and budget our meals during the era of inflating prices.

Ireland’s standing within the eu has transformed since joining in 1976. However, the political landscape dramatically changed within that period. From Brexit, the war in Ukraine to tariffs, issues facing the Europe are far greater than before and Ireland now needs to take a bigger stake in the EU's future.  So, for a small country who plays a big part in this economic bloc, is it time we step up our role?  Gerard Howlin, Former Government Advisor.

Texas Republicans voted to arrest more than 50 Democratic legislators who fled the state to stall a redistricting plan. Psychology experts are questioning U.S. President Donald Trump’s mental acuity because of continuous false claims, drifts off topic and difficulties with his memory. All to discuss with Terry Sheridan Senior Director of News, WSHU Public Radio.

Last spring, Dr Morgan McMonagle, a vascular trauma surgeon, returned from Gaza after his second trip there since the war began. Over the following four months has had to look on from a distance as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate inside Gaza. Dr Morgan joined Pat this morning to discuss the situation along with Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst, and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast.

Last Wednesday, a Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam was hit by serious turbulence, sending 25 passengers to hospitals and forcing the flight to divert to Minnesota, so how does turbulence work? All to discuss with Retired Lieutenant Colonel and Aviation Expert Kevin Byrne.

Diplomats in Dublin, London and Washington are working to secure the release of Irish missionary Gena Heraty after she, along with 7 other people, were kidnapped from an orphanage in the capital of Haiti Port-au-Prince. For more on this Pat spoke to Keira Keogh Fein Gael TD for Mayo.

Women sports continues to reach more widespread media, yet there are still barriers compared to their male counterparts. This morning Pat was joined by a women in Sport panel including Meabh de Burca, Former Ireland player and pundit,  Dr. Ciara Losty, Lecturer SETU, Performance Psychologist in the Institute of Sport and on the Jockey Pathway and Kathleen McNamee, Off The Ball, Host of The COYGIG Pod.

New figures show there are 12 times more properties available for short-term letting, compared to long-term living. We discuss these figures further with Louise Byrne, Irish Examiner Political Correspondent and also Michael Healy Rae, Minister for State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.

Henry McKean looks back at the biggest events and meet the people who made a huge impact in the year 1985!From Live Aid with Bob Geldoff and Nik Kershaw, the biggest stories of the year with Jonathan deBurca Butler, activism with Grace O'Sullivan and David O'Callaghan from the Here and Back Again Podcast on pop culture - there is plenty to look back on!

Our Friday Forum looks back on the main new stories of the week. Joining Pat in studio was Grace Boland TD, Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael, Lynn Boylan MEP, Dublin, Sinn Féin and Jennifer Bray, Political Editor with The Sunday Times. 

Endometriosis is a condition that an estimated that 155,000 women in Ireland are affected by. This condition has a massive impact on women as it decreases quality of life due to severe pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and infertility. Some individuals with endometriosis experience debilitating pain that prevents them from going to work or school. In Ireland, the government has committed to a national endometriosis framework and endometriosis hubs around the country, but nothing has been published yet. Because of a combination of the lack of endometriosis services in Ireland, lengthy waiting lists, and the cost of going private is forcing women to seek treatment overseas. Sophie King, fitness instructor and who has endometriosis joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.

With the bank holiday weekend ahead, Director of Dunbrody House Kevin Dundon takes us through some of the tastiest summer side dishes including a crispy potato salad and a corn on the cob with Gremolata. Kevin Dundon, Director of Dunbrody House joined Pat Kenny on the show.

Roblox, the online game-building platform, which is popular with children and teenagers, is looking to introduce online dating. The move pushed by Roblox CEO occurs after Ireland, the UK, and Australia attempt to implement stricter age verification conditions for online, social media and adult content. Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor with the Irish and Sunday Independent, joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss. 

We have heard the positives and negatives of drone deliveries, but unmanned aerial vehicles have many more uses than delivering takeaways. One area that is being considered is the monitoring of coastlines to detect drug smuggling. Josh Crosbie has been meeting those who operate drones for many different reasons…

The Bank Holiday weekend always brings an increase in attendances to our Emergency Departments and Hospitals, so where do you go if you need care? We get advice from the HSE with Grace Rothwell, National Director for HSE Access and Integration with all options available to you over the weekend and JJ Clarke Columnist with the Irish Independent brings us ‘festivalling’ advice ahead of All Together Now. 

Famous youtuber Trisha Paytas has sparked controversy as she named her son Aquaman Moses. The social media star said she chose the name as she admits to being a big fan of the Aquaman comics and the accompanying movie. The question is, are celebrities taking baby names too far? Jen Hogan, Irish Times Journalist and Host of the Conversations with Parents Podcast and Brenda Power, Columnist with The Sunday Times and Irish Daily Mail joined Pat Kenny to discuss.

This weekend will mark the final test for the British and Irish Lions who have dominated against Australia this tournament. Andy Farrell has named nine Irish players in the starting side, with Rónan Kelleher the only Irish player on the bench. In football Meath will face off Dublin in the All-Ireland women’s final as the royals hope to make a repeat of their 2022 win. Cathal Mullaney , Broadcaster with Off the Ball joined Pat Kenny to preview the weekend in sport.

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Volodymir Zelensky has maintained a high levels of support from Ukrainians. However, in recent days there has been public outrage with the president. Thousands of protesters rallied in Kyiv and other cities in recent days as his party was set to push through a law to strip two anti-corruption bodies of their independence. However just yesterday Ukraine's parliament has approved a bill restoring the independence of the country's two main anti-corruption agencies. Mr Zelensky changed course after the public outcry and under pressure from European officials. So will this regain support from the people of Ukraine? Emmanuelle Chaze Ukraine correspondent for france24 joined Pat Kenny on the show.

US transport company Lyft is to enter the Europe ride-hailing market as it is buying transport mobility rival, FREENOW for €175 million. FREENOW is the leading taxi platform in several European cities, including Dublin. The deal is closing in the coming weeks. Danny O'Gorman, FREENOW Ireland General Manager joined Pat Kenny to discuss.

The Mental Health Commission has published a report signifying a noteworthy decline in the use of restrictive practices, such as seclusion and physical restraint, across Irish mental health services in the past seven years. The report highlights how the MHC adopted a human rights-based approach to result in the declining trend in these types of practices. Professor Jim Lucey, at Trinity College Dublin and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Inspector of Mental Health Services joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.

Ireland’s first-ever Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1994 where the tournament wasn’t sanctioned by World Rugby, and Ireland and the other countries defied the higher powers to host and play this tournament, it’s a good story. Cameron Hill from OTB joined Pat Kenny to discuss.

You may know the CIA from fiction, but how does the actual agency work around the world? Tim Weiner has reported on the agency around the world and joins us to discuss the work of the agency in the 21st century which he details in his new book ‘The Mission’. Tim Weiner, Pulitzer Prize-winning author joined Pat Kenny on the show.

According to new research from LinkedIn, Ireland has been ranked highest for the availability of remote jobs in Europe. The data shows that in Ireland, 9.4% of all job listings offer remote work options, which is almost double the European average of 5.2%. But is remote working really the most efficient form of work? Peter Cosgrove, Managing Director of Futurewise and Mary Connaughton, Strategic and Engagement Director of CIPD joined Pat Kenny on the show. 

Today marks 50 years since the Miami Showband Massacre which saw the murder of singer Fran O'Toole, guitarist Tony Geraghty and trumpeter Brian McCoy. Two other band members, Des McAlea and Stephen Travers, were also injured but survived the atrocity. The band was travelling home to Dublin after a gig in Banbridge when they were stopped by a fake Army patrol involving Ulster Defence Regiment and Ulster Volunteer Force members. Half a century later, Stephen and Des want to celebrate the lives of their bandmates. Josh Crosbie, Newstalk Reporter has been meeting with those who survived the attack. 

Every day we are engrossed with more imagery of starving, injured and dying children in Gaza. We are often left helpless and are unsure of what to do after viewing these images. That feeling is called ‘moral injury’. Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East Correspondent with The Economist and Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin joined Pat Kenny on the show.

Pat Kenny was joined by Jo Linehan, editor of the climate supplement at the Sunday Times Ireland to discuss a survey that came out this week about plastic packaging in Ireland and how most of it is linked to our supermarket purchases.

Leadless pacemakers are a significant development in cardiac care. Unlike traditional pacemakers, leadless pacemakers are implanted directly into the heart via a minor procedure. These pacemakers improve overall patient comfort. Doctor Jim O’Brien, Consultant Cardiologist at Mater Private Network, discusses the latest in modern cardiologic technology as the Mater Private now offers leadless pacemakers. 

From using ‘well’ incorrectly to those misplaced apostrophes we get a grammar lesson with Oliver Murphy, Author of Grasping Grammar.

 New figures supplied to the Minister for Justice have shown a 15% drop in drug searches across the country last year compared with 2022. However, certain regions suffered much larger drops, including the southern region which saw 30% fewer searches. It comes as the Garda Representative Association is sounding the alarm once more about the number of Gardaí retiring in the coming years. Cllr Janet Horner, Cathaoirleach, Green Party joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.

VHI will increase the cost of seven plans. This occurs just weeks after other price surges. However, other health insurers, like Laya and Irish Life Health, are launching new cheaper plans. Dermot Goode, of Total Health Cover, joined Pat Kenny to discuss.

From its blend of comedy, sci-fi and teenage angst, we take a look at why Back to the Future is a perfect movie on this week’s segment from Inside Hollywood with Lisa Cannon, TV Host and Head of Studio at DMG Media.  

Over the past ten years the DPP chose not to prosecute nearly 67 percent of people accused of sexual offences, in files submitted by the gardai. Our reporter Jessica Woodlock has been looking into the data, which was released to Newstalk under a freedom of information request. 

Why do we struggle with compliments? It’s such a common scene, isn't it? Someone says, 'You look great today!' or 'That presentation was brilliant!' And instead of just letting that good feeling in, we often find ourselves deflecting: 'Oh, this old thing?' or 'It was nothing really, I just got lucky.' We even squirm a bit!" Why does it make people uncomfortable- people like to say it's all about self-esteem but actually while people with self-esteem issues can find compliments uncomfortable not everyone who is uncomfortable with compliments has self-esteem issues. It can be a number of things. Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist joined Pat Kenny to discuss.

Diarmuid Gavin, Garden Designer, tells us all about Désert de Retz.All with thanks to Tirlán.

Darragh O’Brien Minister for Transport, Climate, Energy and the Environment joined Pat Kenny to discuss the future of Irish transport and the government’s climate plans as billions have been committed to both departments under the national development plan. From the supposed commencement of the Metrolink, the slow development of offshore wind resource, to will Irish buses ever see contactless card payments?

This week on the Green Scene we hear how cleaner air might be increasing global warming and new research that shows that we (and dolphins) might be breathing in micro plastics. Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland joined Pat Kenny on the show.

Ger Herbert, Motoring Editor and Columnist talks all things motoring.

As the dust settles on the trade agreement struck by the European Union and the United States on Sunday…did the EU really eke out a win from the Trump administration? Or was it left with no choice but to bow to his tariff demands? John Clarke, former Director for International Affairs at the European Commission joined Pat Kenny on the show.  

Overnight a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck of Russia’s pacific coast triggering tsunami warnings across the pacific. We get updates from Hawaii, Japan and the US with a full explainer from Professor Chris Bean, Professor of Geophysics at Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, Pixie Clay, Managing Editor, Hawaii Public Radio, Martin Fackler, acting Tokyo Bureau Chief, New York Times and Steve Futterman, US West Coast Correspondent.

The UK has introduced age verification requirements online, but users are finding workarounds. VPNs top download charts as UK age verification law kicks in. Virtual private network (VPN) apps have become the most downloaded on Apple's App Store in the UK after sites such as PornHub, Reddit and X began requiring age verification of users. Jess Kelly, Newstalk Technology Correspondent, joined Pat Kenny on the show.

Have you ever opened your luggage and found a knot of tangled necklaces? Or rather have you been out for an entire day on holidays, perhaps at the beach, and there are no plugs to be found when your phone is about to die? Megan Virgo, Travel Writer with The Irish Daily Mail and Image joined Pat Kenny on the show.   

A new garda commissioner is set to be appointed today. The new appointment follows garda commissioner Drew Harris’ seven-year role. The new garda commissioner will face challenges surrounding Garda retirement as a decade-long increase in resignation is expected. Conor Lally, Security and Crime Editor of The Irish Times joined Pat Kenny on the show.

President Donald trump hosted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at his Scottish golf club for a press conference yesterday. The conference had some remarkable moments as trump made comments on Starmer's ‘friend’ Sir Saqid Khan, London mayor, and trump noticed from the ‘television’ that Palestinian children are ‘terribly hungry.’ Enda Brady, International TV News Anchor at TRT World joined Pat Kenny to discuss the visit.